Raleigh MuseumsNorth Carolina Museum of History (919) 807-7900

Description, Map, Review & Recommendations

The North Carolina Museum of History is a great place to be up close and personal with some of the history of North Carolina.

You can begin with the Roanoke Island colonists and go to the present. There are artifacts, crafts or exhibits on it all.

In the permanent exhibits are the Sports Hall of Fame, North Carolina folk life, and David Marshall "Carbine" Williams exhibit. David Williams is the one noted for his weaponry.

The folk life gallery includes exhibits on music, pottery, baskets, and textiles. Textiles have a long history in North Carolina.

There are parts of many of the exhibits that are designed for kids. They can touch things and get the real "feel of history." There is an interesting exhibit on daily life and how people really lived in the past that is very good.

This is not a particularly large museum so it will not take you the whole day to explore. Admission is free and it is a great place to take the kids. If you go on the weekends, the parking lot across the street is also free.

Driving Directions: I-440 take the Wade Ave. exit. Continue east on Wade Ave; Merge onto Capital Blvd/Downtown Blvd. Take the exit toward Peace St; turn left at W Peace St; Turn right at N Blount St; Turn right at E Edenton St.; The North Carolina Museum of History will be on the right.